Decades into the future, long after the eight-year tyrannical reign of President Conolt Parumph, progressives overwhelmed the electorate and no other member of the Conventionalists party have been elected ever since; leaving members feeling marginalized, powerless, and desperate in a nation their ancestors built. Additional progressive programs compounded the problem as more women took advantage of education and job opportunities resulting in fewer women giving birth which drastically reduced the population of Conventionalists.

However, now Conventionalists believe they have found the answer to the new world order. Investment billionaire, Director Marcus Price hosts the top brass at a luxury gala at the Omaha General Health Institute. Marcus steps up to the microphone at the podium.

“Ladies and gentlemen I know that you’ve heard the rumors about a few complications, but thanks to a lot of scientific ingenuity, we finally got it right. I now turn you over to our saviors, Macro-Physicists, Doctors Gary Lynch and Joseph Creasy.” Price says.

During the thunderous applause Judge Benjamin Stein and District Attorney John Hoover slip away from the crowd into the Director’s library. DA Hoover pours two glasses of bourbon and hands a drink to the judge.

“Damn shame it has come down to the supreme solution.” Judge Stein says.

“Well in 2016 we had the nation’s throne in the palm of our hands, but…” The doctor says before taking a sip from his glass.

“Yeah, our one term world of personal responsibility with no safety nets was too scary for those entitled pansy waisted nannies we have running every office in the country now.” Stein says before taking a gulp of booze.

“Yep from dog catcher to president. Speaking of dogs, did you get rid of that nosey reporter?” Hoover asks.

“Yeah, he thinks the Institute is conducting illegal experiments on animals. I sent him on a wild goose chase across town.” Judge Stein says.

“Uh-oh someone’s going to be pissed.” Hoover laughs.

“By the time that darkie figures out what happened we’ll all be long gone.” The Judge laughs.

Meanwhile Malcolm Jones is following a tip he received from a judge that Pri-Labs is conducting illegal animal experiments. He tells his Autonomous Chauffer to call a research associate at the National Free Press.

“Call Javier.”

“Javi speaking, what cha need Jones?”

“I just received what appears to be a gift of a tip that the Pri-Labs on the west side of town is conducting torturous animal experiments.” Jones says.

“Haha! Someone got you too.” Javier says.

“What? My source showed me some gruesome images he said were taken today”

“Yeah, we received four reports last week, but our scouts haven’t found anything. We even used 4-D Invasive Terrain Capture, but the printer materialized a one story model with five empty rooms. The place has been dead for days. It sounds like someone has you chasing your tail.” Javier says.

“You mean the damned reporter that you were supposed to take care of Judge?” Price asks.

“Leave him to me and I’ll permanently shut him down.” Judge Stein says.

Malcolm moves through a corridor. He hears footsteps and ducks into a dark room. He listens to a woman giving instructions to tourists as if they are about to board a fantasy cruise.

“Ok, you’ve all been given your room numbers. Each room has the appropriate clothing for the period you’re traveling to. Don’t forget to lower the visor on your helmet to protect your eyes from the debris in the breach.”

Malcolm dismisses the tour as a humorous spiel for investors. A man enters the room Malcolm is hiding in and then closes the door. Malcolm leaps from behind a closet door – startling the man. The man tries to cry out, but Malcolm swiftly wraps his arm around the man’s throat and chokes the guy unconscious. He changes into the man’s gear and then heads towards the launch area.

Judge Stein and two security guards rush into the corridor as Malcolm stands at the entrance of the launch area. They find the unconscious body of one of their guests.

Malcolm whips around, drops to one knee and begins firing at the three men. Other travelers scream as they run through the bright lights of the breach and disappear. A guard returns fire, but Malcolm partially crouches behind a short column.

“Come on Judge. Is it really worth shooting me because I found out about animal abuse at a theme park?” Malcolm says.

The judge puts down his weapon before slowly walking towards Malcolm.

“Animal experiments? Theme park? Stein laughs loudly. “Idiot, we’re changing the future into the perfect utopia where we will be in control of the country forever.”

“Time travel? Seriously?” He chuckles. What are you planning to do, assassinate people in the past?” Malcolm laughs.

“Nah, we’ll make sure they were never born. In fact, we just got rid of the father of one of our greatest negro antagonizers not too far from here. X marks the spot.”

“Oookaaay – all of you whack-jobs are under arrest. Come quietly or…”

Malcolm’s words are cut off just as a bullet pierces his shoulder. He returns fire as he runs through the bright lights of the breach. Stein races through the portal then tackles Malcolm to the ground – knocking the reporter’s gun from his hands. Stein and Malcolm struggle over the judge’s gun. Malcolm knocks it away.

“I should send you back, but you can’t stop us!” Judge Stein yells before walking over to smash the receiver end of the travel portal. “Now no one can. No matter how hard you try, you can’t undo death.” He spits on the reporter and walks away.

Malcolm stumbles to his feet and then walks into the woods. He stops when he sees a man’s body hanging from a tree. A bloody X is carved into the man’s forehead. He cuts the body down and then changes into the dead man’s unbloodied clean clothing. He staggers awhile before passing out near a road.

Malcolm awakens inside someone’s home. He looks around at the old fashioned furnishings. “Where am I?”

“You’re at Ms. Letties’s house.” A teen girl says.

“What date is it?”

“Tuesday, February 5th.” The girl says.

“Can I use your Apple I-VR?” He asks

“What kind of fruit is that?”

“Jokes huh? Your computer – I need a news report.” Malcolm grabs his head as he swoons.

Lettie enters the room. “I hope you don’t mind, but I peeked at the ID papers in your pocket Reverend Little. We heard you were coming, but the Black Legion got to you before we did. Our neighbor Louise and I will take you to the church when you’re better. Oh and here’s a newspaper.”

Malcolm shakes his head when he sees the date, May 5, 1920. Those supremacists actually did it. He thinks to himself. He reads the name on the papers in his pocket – Reverend Earl Little.

He decides to go along with the charade until he can get back home, but days turn into weeks, and weeks into years. He eventually marries Louise. On May 19, 1925 she gives birth to his fourth child.

“What shall we call him?” He asks.

“We will call him Malcolm after the saint.”

“Alright Malcolm Little it is. Wait – Omaha, Nebraska? Malcolm Little? X marks the spot the man said.” He laughs and laughs. “X marks the spot. Indeed. Around and around we go.”